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Can a lien be filed against my home by a subcontractor if the contracted work was not?

California

A Burbank plumbing company stated I needed a new sewer line based on video findings of line. He contracted another company to do the work since lost permitting rights for city work. The sub discovered my line could not be replaced using closed ditch due to concrete over line. Original plumber told him to do just saddle and did not consult with me until this was done. Now they want payment and I never got a new sewer line. Can't use the new saddle for open ditch line. If I had been called I would not have approved the saddle work but put my money towards a new line via open ditch. Am I responsible for subcontractors cost? Can he file a lien on my property?

2 replies

Jul 16, 2021
A subcontractor can only file a lien against your property if they sent you a Preliminary Notice within the time required first. You don’t mention receiving a Preliminary Notice so I’m not sure if you received one. It would have needed to have been sent to you by certified mail so you would know if you received it. If you didn’t, they have no lien rights. You may want to let them know that if they threaten you with a lien. Their only recourse is against the contractor that hired them. It’s also questionable whether or not this type of video work is the kind of permanent improvement that would justify a mechanic’s lien. I’m happy to answer any questions you have about this.
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Jul 16, 2021
Yes they can if licensed for the value they provided. You can challenge the value in court.
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